RICHLAND, MI -- The Richland Park Horse Trials, one of the country's premier events for horseback riders, began Thursday morning with a big turnout for the dressage competition.

Dressage is a competition in which both the horse and the rider must remember a predetermined routine and perform it for the judges. It tests the skill of the rider as well as the horse.

However, dressage competition was not the only thing happening this morning at the Horse Trials, which continue through Sunday.

A small tent city has been set up that houses the hundreds of horses for the event. With so many horses, it seems that there is never any downtime once things get going. From grooming and washing, to practicing for competition, there is always something going on.

"This is one of our favorite events," Nate Chambers, a rider for 12 years, said. Chambers and his teammate Elinor MacPhail traveled from Columbus, Ohio, to participate in the events.

Phillip Dutton, Will Coleman and Boyd Martin, all members of the 2012 U.S. Eventing team that finished seventh in the 2012 London Olympics, will also be competing.